How to navigate Montreal as a queer BIPOC person
Why this guide?
Being part of the BIPOC* community is one thing; being a part — openly or not — of the 2SLGBTQ+ community** is another. For many Montrealers, being at the crossroads of the two creates a unique life experience. In a modern Montreal where identity Queer is proudly promoted, especially as part of Pride activities, a good part of this community seems nevertheless to be put aside, or even completely forgotten.
What to do? Activities
While Montreal is often considered to be “a city where there is always something to do”, the reality is that the social life of the city is not necessarily adapted to the reality of all.
QTBIPOC TALKSPACE
Organized by Project 10 as part of the project FULL CIRCLE, the QTBIPOC TALKSPACES are conversations open to young people aged 18 to 25 where various topics are discussed. The objective of these meetings is to open a dialogue between different members of the QUEER-BIPOC community so that they can exchange stories, experiences, but also tips or ideas to support each other.
- When? The third Thursday of each month, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Where? 10138 LaJeunesse Street, Office 301, Montreal (Quebec) H3L 2E2
SWEET LIKE HONEY
Sweet Like Honey organizes events for people who relate to the lesbian and sapphic experience. Most of the time, these are musical events or performances by local artists. Sweet Like Honey also highlights local BIPOC artists and talents in Montreal.
The next event is, for example, a “Kookie Karaoke”, organized in order to let people in the community Queer BIPOC to express itself through the song. The event is free.
- Where? 5589 Park Avenue, Montreal (URSA (MTL)
- When? Friday, June 23, 7:30pm
Information about the events is available on Sweet Like Honey's Instagram account: @sweetlikehoneymtl
SHE ELUIMTL
For lesbian events and Queer, she organizes a multitude of evenings with a diverse program. Whether it's evenings of Speed dating, ofOpen Mics or even visual art exhibitions, she always puts forward this type of event.
Blush Party
Created in 2019 in order to offer activities that highlight people who do not identify with traditional gender configurations, Blush Party Montreal organizes events with artists Queer (dancers, DJs, VJs, etc.) in order to promote the community Queer BIPOC in the artistic world.
Information about the events is available on the Blush Party Instagram account: @blush .party
WHERE TO GO? Some safe places for the community Queer BIPOC
Recognizing that the stories of people Queer and BIPOC do not only respond to one type of structure, La Converse looked at the importance of Montreal places that are considered to be safe for the people concerned.
By “places” we mean various places, according to their vocation, which are” Bipoc And Queer-friendly ”, among other things for their safety and the openness they show to the community through concrete actions.
Food-n-Ting
Food-n-ting is a series of monthly events where food banks are organized, including the sharing of skills, food, art, and music. All events are free or very affordable, making them accessible to marginalized populations. The goal of Food-n-ting is to create a safer, non-judgmental environment where Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color can come together, learn, and eat together.
Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles (Pride BIPOC Market)
The Notre-Dame-des-Quilles bar is located on Beaubien Street. In addition to being “BIPOC and Queer-friendly, the place hosts numerous events organized by and for the community throughout the year Queer in Montreal. For example, the bar is offering a “BIPOC Pride Market” on June 29.
- Where? 32 Beaubien Street East, Montreal
L'Euguélionne, feminist bookstore
Located in the village, the L'Euguélionne bookstore is a non-profit cooperative. It offers works of women's and feminist literature, Queer, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals, transsexuals, transsexuals, and agents, Two-Spirited, anti-racist, anti-colonial, etc. It is also a safe gathering place where numerous events are organized, including book launches by LGBTQ+ authors and activities held in collaboration with other BIPOC organizations.
- Where? 1426 Beaudry Street, Montreal
A book of your own
The independent bookstore Un Livre à Soi, located near Plateau-Mont-Royal, opened its doors in 2022. The place regularly highlights books and authors Queer BIPOC, in addition to hosting numerous literary events where the community Queer BIPOC is valued and safe.
- Where? 1575 Laurier Avenue East, Montreal
Important resources
ACT
AGIR (Action LGBTQIA+ with Immigrants and Refugees) is a non-profit organization based in Montreal and working with the community Queer migrant. AGIR offers a multitude of services in four languages (French, English, Spanish and Arabic).
Between personalized support and group activities (closed or open), AGIR also offers all kinds of education and awareness programs. The training courses and workshops offered aim to make the public and those concerned aware of community rights. Queer, more precisely from the community Queer migrant.
AGIR supports people Queer and BIPOC in their process of adapting to life in Montreal, in particular by providing them with direct help (legal or medical help, for example). AGIR has also prepared a Guide for service providers working with trans+ and non-binary migrant and refugee persons.
HELEM
Helem Montreal is an organization that fights against the homophobia of which the Arabic-speaking community in Montreal is a victim. Helem also sees himself as a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and strives to promote the inclusion of all people in the face of prejudice.
In order to create a safer Montreal for the Arabic-speaking community Queer, Helem regularly organizes activities and events aimed at creating places of awareness.
https://www.montrealhelem.org/
THE LAVENDER COLLECTIVE
The Lavender Collective is a collective formed by Black people who advocate for the mental health needs of racialized people and marginalized communities. It offers a list of direct resources (accessible by phone or on site) that help the people concerned, according to their reality.
The people Queer BIPOC is experiencing unique situations in Montreal, and The Lavender Collective is aware of this. It therefore offers emergency resources intended for them.
- For the time being, The Lavender Collective's activities are suspended. However, its resources are available on the organization's website.
https://www.thelavendercollective.ca/resources?lang=fr
JHALAK MONTREAL
Jhalak Montreal is an organization supporting LGBTQ+ people from South Asian communities. It organizes events designed to make the Montreal population aware of the reality. Queer South Asian, including education and awareness-raising workshops on important issues.
https://fiertemontreal.com/fr/artistes/jhalak-montreal-2023
* BIPOC: English acronym (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), referring to all Black, Indigenous, and Black communities, and people of color.
** QUEER, 2SLGBTQ+: One person Queer is a person who does not define themselves using traditional categories of gender and sexual orientation. In the late 1980s, the LGBTQ+ community re-appropriated the term Queer (meaning “strange” in English), which was originally used to refer pejoratively to gay men. This word has thus become a symbol of the contestation of identity models relating to gender and sexual orientation. (Government of Quebec)